digestive system

-centesis

surgical puncture to aspirate fluid

-lith

stone

-pepsia

digestion

-phagia

eating or swallowing

-stomy

creation of an artificial opening

abdominocentesis

surgical puncture to aspirate fluid from the abdomen

appendicitis

inflammation of the appendix

cholecystectomy

surgical removal of the gallbladder

choledocholithiasis

presence of stones in the common bile duct

cholelithiasis

abnormal condition of gall stones

colonoscopy

process of viewing the colon

dysphagia

difficulty or painful swallowing

dyspepsia

indigestion or difficult digestion

gastroenterology

study of the stomach and intestines

hepatomegaly

enlargement of the liver

pancreatitis

inflammation of the pancreas

sublingual

pertaining to under the tongue

functions of digestive system

breaks down food, releases its nutrients, and absorbs those nutrients into the body

peritoneum

serous membrane lining the abdominal cavity

peritonitis

inflammation of peritoneum

hard palate

rigid anterior arch formed by bone

soft palate

posterior fleshy region composed mainly of skeletal muscle

uvula

fleshy extension that moves upward during swallowing to block food from entering the nasal cavity

stomatitis

inflammation of the mouth

xerostomia

condition of dry mouth

tongue

secretes lingual glands containing lingual lipase

glossitis

inflammation of the tongue

parotid glands

cheeks

sublingual glands

under tounge

submandibular glands

under mandible

pharynx

throat

subdivisions of pharynx

nasopharyngeal, oropharynx, laryngopharynx

epiglottis

flap of tissue that closes during swallowing to prevent food from entering the trachea

esophagus

muscular tube approximately 10 inches long connecting pharynx to stomach

peristalsis

alternating wave like muscle contractions propelling food

an/o

anus

append/o, appendic/o

appendix

cec/o

cecum

celi/o, lapar/o

abdomen, abdominal cavity

cheil/o

lip

chol/e

gall, bile

choledoch/o

common bile duct

col/o

colon

diverticul/o

diverticulum

duoden/o

duodenum

enter/o

intestine

esophag/o

esophagus

gastr/o

stomach

gingiv/o

gum

gloss/o, lingu/o

tongue

hepat/o

liver

herni/o

hernia, protrusion of an organ through membrane

ile/o

ileum

jejun/o

jejunum

or/o, stomat/o

mouth

palat/o

palate

pancreat/o

pancreas

peritone/o

peritoneum

polyp/o

polyp, small growth

proct/o, rect/o

rectum

pylor/o

pylorus, pyloric sphincter

sial/o

saliva, salivary gland

sigmoid/o

sigmoid colon

steat/o

fat

uvul/o

uvula

xer/o

dryness

-cele

hernia, protrusion

-ptosis

prolapse, drooping

lower esophageal sphincter

opens to let food pass and prevents stomach contents from backing up into the esophagus

four main regions of stomach

cardia, fundus, body, pylorus

pyloric sphincter

ring of muscle controlling stomach emptying

villi (sm intestine)

primary site for digestion and absorption, utilizing small fingerlike projections

three small intestine regions in order

duodenum, jejunum, ileum

illeoceal valve (sm intestine)

controls flow of chyme into the large intestine

large intestine

finish absorption of water/nutrients and synthesize vitamins while forming feces

four parts of large intestine

cecum, colon, rectum, anal canal

cecum (lg intestine)

initial pouch attached to the appendix

colon (lg intestine)

divided into the ascending colon → transverse colon → descending colon → sigmoid colon

rectum (lg intestine)

contains rectal valves to separate feces from flatus (gas)

anal canal (lg intestine)

contains internal (involuntary) and external (voluntary) anal sphincters

accessory organs

liver, pancreas, gallbladder

liver

produces bile to emulsify fats; nutrient-rich blood is delivered from intestines via hepatic vein; yellowish breakdown pigment filtered by the liver is bilirubin

pancreas

exocrine portion secretes pancreatic amylase, lipase, and digestive enzymes into the common bile duct; endocrine portion secretes insulin and glucagon

gallbladder

muscular sac that stores, concentrates, and releases bile

ingestion

intake of food chewed and mixed with saliva to form a bolus

propulsion

movement of food via swallowing and involuntary peristalsis

chemical digestion

enzymatic breakdown of complex molecules

absorption

passage of nutrients into the bloodstream primarily within the small intestine

defecation

expulsion of undigested material as feces

ascites

abnormal fluid buildup in the abdominal cavity

melena

black, tarry stool containing blood from the GI tract

steatorrhea

excessive fat excreted in the stool

celiac disease

autoimmune response triggered by the intake of gluten causing damage to the small intestine

cirrhosis

permanent scarring of liver tissue commonly caused by alcoholism or chronic hepatitis (complications: ascites and jaundice)

colon cancer

cancer usually develops from growths called polyps

partial colectomy

surgical removal of part of the colon

stoma

attached opening in the abdominal wall

inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis

proctocolectomy

removal of the entire colon and rectum

diverticulosis

presence of bulging pouches in the colon